Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
872. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress that has been made on each of the recommendations of the Report on Labour Activation by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection in the 32nd Dáil/25th Seanad, which relate to one-parent families (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16603/23]
View answerThe Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment is available to lone parents whose youngest child is aged 7 to 13 years inclusive. It is a means-tested payment for men and women who are bringing up a child – or children – without the support of a partner. It is made up of a personal rate of €220 per week with additional amounts paid in respect of each dependent child. These amounts are €42 per week where the child is aged under 12 and €50 per week where the child is aged 12 or over.
The report to which the Deputy refers recommended that the Jobseekers’ Transitional Payment should be available to lone parents until their youngest child is 18 years of age. To extend eligibility for the scheme as recommended in this report would be contrary to the policy goal of the changes to the One-Parent Family Payment scheme introduced since 2015. Those changes were designed to tackle long-term social welfare dependency and its associated poverty risks. This is done through a tapering of income supports and a more active engagement process offering enhanced educational, training and employment supports. As such, there are currently no plans to extend the eligibility of the Jobseekers’ Transitional Payment until the youngest child turns 18.
The Department of Social Protection provides several options for income support to lone parents once their entitlement to the Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment ceases. These include the Jobseeker’s Allowance payment which may be paid to lone parents where the youngest child is aged 14 or over. Additionally, the Working Family Payment is also available to lone parents who are working at least 38 hours per fortnight. Lone parents who transfer to the Working Family Payment may also apply for the Back to Work Family Dividend.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
